Caroline Bessette Blonde: The 90s Hair Trend Taking Over Hollywood
It’s among the most coveted colors of the season, and it’s all thanks to a timeless style icon. Kim Kardashian, 45, recently traded her signature dark locks for the trendy “Caroline Bessette-Kennedy blonde” look, sparking a wave of interest in this classic shade.
Celebrity hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos shared a mirror selfie of Kardashian’s transformation on Instagram, showcasing her fresh, shoulder-grazing lob and warm blonde hue. Giannetos revealed the inspiration behind the look: the legendary blonde shade associated with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the fashion publicist and wife of John F. Kennedy Jr.
The Inspiration: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Iconic Style
“The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy BLONDE!” Giannetos declared in the caption. “It’s warm, buttery, fashionable, dimensional, edgy, and it’s ’90s! It’s the ultimate Carolyn blonde!” The comments section quickly echoed his sentiment, with fans praising the spot-on ’90s vibe.
While some speculated the look might be a wig, Kardashian has experimented with blonde shades before, though typically opting for cooler, platinum tones. Fans have been requesting a return to blonde, with one commenting, “We need blonde Kimberly back.”
Beyond Kardashian: A Gen Z Revival
The resurgence of this honey-blonde color isn’t limited to Hollywood. It’s currently trending among Gen Z, over 25 years after the tragic loss of JFK Jr., Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, in a 1999 helicopter crash.
This revival is partly fueled by the release of FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, a limited series chronicling the couple’s romance. The show, starring Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy, has brought renewed attention to her style and beauty.
Brad Johns, Bessette-Kennedy’s haircolorist, even predicted this trend in an interview with The Looker last summer. “The 20-year-old girls [nowadays]—their mothers were blonde because of Carolyn. So, I think there is going to be a revival of this kind of beachy, chunky look,” he stated.
Johns described Bessette-Kennedy’s natural color as “a gorgeous, light golden brown,” but emphasized the impact of going blonde. “We both thought she should be blonde,” he recalled. “I [told her], ‘You’re too stunning not to be blonde…it would be iconic.’”
Kim Kardashian’s New Role & The Future of the Trend
Interestingly, Kardashian’s blonde transformation may be linked to her upcoming role in a new Netflix comedy, The Fifth Wheel, directed by Eva Longoria, where she will portray a blonde character. This adds another layer to the trend, showcasing its versatility and appeal in the entertainment industry.
The ‘Caroline Bessette blonde’ isn’t just a hair color; it’s a nostalgic nod to a style icon and a celebration of ’90s fashion. It’s a look that continues to inspire and captivate, proving that some trends truly stand the test of time.
Learn more about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s life and style: Vanity Fair
